The poem begins with the personification of Chicago. The writer calls Chicago "Hot Butcher", "Tool Maker", "Stacker of Wheat", "Player with Railroads", and "Nation's Freight Handler." We can see the burliness and toughness of Chicago through his explanation.
Then, some people tell the writer the real life of Chicago. "They" tell him that Chicago is "wicked," "crooked," and "brutal." The writer admits it; he has seen prostitutes, murderers, and starving children. He uses longer expressions to tell the negative factors of the city. However, he shows his affection and confidence towards Chicago by personifying it: "city with lifted head singing so proud to be alive and coarse and strong and cunning." There are dark sides, but the writer thinks Chicago is the best city with energy and beauty. He also says that Chicago is "building, breaking, rebuilding," which clearly presents the life cycle of Chicago compare to other cities. Furthermore, he then uses personification again that Chicago can feel "the pulse" and is "the heart of the people."
By repeating the expressions that are used in the first stanza in the last line, the writer once again states the joy and power of the city of Chicago.
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